Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, Arne Slot was asked to evaluate Curtis Jones’ performance filling in at right back last time out:
[He did] Very well. Not perfect, which is completely normal, but very well, especially if you take into account – that’s why it makes complete sense that it’s not perfect, although who is perfect in whichever position? – he hardly has played in that position throughout his career. That he does it the way he does is a big compliment, because
I think he played twice a good game; against Palace, even better than against Everton, defensively I mean then mainly, which makes sense because usually you improve by playing more in a certain position, getting more used to the players around you and to your position.
What we always know from him is that he shows great personality in every position he plays. He’s never afraid to play, never afraid to get the ball, never scared to take a bit of risk, which is something he maybe has to adjust a little bit because in midfield it’s a bit different than playing in the last line, taking risk. But it’s also one of his qualities that he’s able to bring himself out of very difficult positions, which could come across as taking risk, but usually the ball is in safe hands when he has it because he’s very good and comfortable on the ball.
The Liverpool boss was also asked whether he would expect more from Florian Wirtz in “bigger games” given his performances this season:
I don’t only hope that, I’m 100 per cent sure he will. It’s also a coincidence, by the way, of course we have to play three more that are now in those positions, so that gives him three more chances to do this. But I think for me, it’s so clear; the development Florian has made throughout his Liverpool career, which has only been 10 months, is for me already very clear and obvious. Ninety-third minute against Crystal Palace, making a duel on the line, on the sideline, winning a throw-in for us and then making a sprint from 40 yards and hitting the ball in the top corner, that is something where I’m not completely convinced about that he could do the same eight months ago when we played Brentford away or these kind of games.
So his improvement – and he was already an elite player – has been for me clear and obvious. And that improvement will only continue because he’s only 22, so that makes complete sense. Almost every player in the world is at his best when he’s 25, 26. But he’s already an elite player now, but he can only become better. And that’s the beauty of the signings we did last summer, that all of them are of a certain age where we can only expect them to become better, as long as they don’t get injured.
